244 HUNTING IN THE JUNGLE. 



from its chain, and failing miserably, uttered a heart- 

 rending sound, and lowered his horns toward the tiger 

 to ward off death for a little, at least. The tiger drew 

 himself together like a steel spring, and Ijounded upon 

 him with such force that he threw him upon his side ; 

 then, climbing upon his massive shoulders, the cruel 

 beast opened his throat with the precision of a butcher, 

 and then lay flat on his stomach, in the midst of his 

 feast. The bull made ineffectual efforts to roll over 

 and smother his assassin, l3ut the latter was not to be 

 shaken off. The blood poured into his thirsty throat 

 in great gulps ; it w^as frightful to see- The tiger 

 revelled in delight, and seemed to long to be able to 

 swallow more quickly. One cannot conceive such vo- 

 racity. He had opened the stomach of the now pas- 

 sive bull, and absolutely swam in blood, tearing off 

 bits of smoking flesh here and there, in a terrible 

 frenzy, drunk with pleasure, and fe\erish with a name- 

 less lust. 



Once cold, the body lay neglected ; and the monster 

 turned to us ! Could he be hungry after such a feast 

 of Sardanapalus ? Probably not. In fact, we saw him 

 advancing slowl}', his tongue hanging out, his eyes 

 heavy, his gait almost staggering, toward the pool of 

 holy water, which, when he reached, he buried his hot 

 head and flanks in its refreshing water, wallowing like 

 a " river horse " in its coolness. I could not help laugh- 

 ing aloud at the success of my plan, and my companions 



